What are the Most Pressing Issues for Mississippi State?
Sep 26, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen walks onto the field following a play under review against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The Bulldogs are struggling. We know this, and there is a sense that the sky is falling. Despite the uneven play on the field, Mississippi State is still projected by most who calculate such things to go 7-5 on the season. Plus, the Egg Bowl is at home, and we all know the history of how the home team and road team perform in that game.
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The purpose of this post is not spread more gloom and doom. The purpose is to try to determine where the Bulldogs can make the biggest strides in getting the offense clicking again, and the defense terrorizing the opposition. Trying to fix everything all at once can be a daunting task. But if you compartmentalize the different facets of the game, then you can make the necessary adjustments that need to be made.
According to the FPI at ESPN, Mississippi State has a better than 75% chance to win their next three game at Davis Wade Stadium. This is the perfect time to focus on some key elements hurting this team. With the correct adjustments, Mississippi State can get to bowl eligibility against Kentucky without much of a problem. And with a greater than 60% chance to win at Missouri, the Bulldogs could gain some momentum heading into the always difficult stretch in November.
The order I am putting these areas of the team are not from biggest concern to smallest. This is the order I think the coaching staff needs to go in to address some of the team needs and have the biggest impact on the team’s overall success.
Next: No. 1 Priority for the Coaching Staff